Western Michigan University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Western Michigan University prohibits discrimination or harassment which violates the law or which constitutes inappropriate or unprofessional limitation of employment opportunity, University facility access, or participation in University activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, height, weight, or marital status. https://wmich.edu/equity/

Western Michigan University prohibits discrimination or harassment which violates the law or which constitutes inappropriate or unprofessional limitation of employment opportunity, University facility access, or participation in University activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status. https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u102/2018/Non-Discrimination%20Policy%20Process%20and%20Procedures%204-18-18.pdf

The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) has its own recruiter. https://wmich.edu/camp The MLK Gold Scholarship and Academy are focused on recruiting and supporting students from urban high schools with 60% or greater free and reduced lunch, first-generation and participation in pre-college bridge program. https://wmich.edu/mlkacademy The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) targets outreach for teacher preparation candidates for the WMU Future Educator Program (collaboration with Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Kalamazoo Promise). Targeted outreach for our Youth and Community Development Degrees with the Out-of-School Time sector and non-profit agencies. There are two scholarships specific to increasing diversity in the teacher preparation programs: The WMU Future Educator Scholarship funded by the Pickard Family Fund and Advia Credit Union and Funding the Advancement of Minorities in Education. The TRiO Future Educator Success Program also provides grant aid to eligible TRiO FESP students and the CEHD commits at least $35,000 each year in scholarship awards to TRiO FESP students as part of the CEHD Institutional Commitment to the U.S. DOE TRiO grant. For faculty and staff recruitment, Western advertises in diverse publications. Here are a highlight of some of those: Latinos in Higher Education; Hispanic Outlook; Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; LBGT Consortium of Higher Education Professionals; Disability Resource Network; Association on Higher Education and Disability; Michigan Association on Higher Education and Disability; Pride Source; Michigan Works; Grand Rapids Urban League. The Office of Institutional Equity offers training and other resources. There are online resources for recruitment, retention, and hiring at http://www.wmich.edu/equity/resources. There is an Implicit Bias Workshop for Search Committees http://www.wmich.edu/equity/training as well as a Bias-free Hiring Quick Reference Guide. The Office of the Provost requires the Implicit Bias Workshop for all faculty search committees and all executive level positions. WMU's Office of Institutional Equity monitors and recommends additional recruitment to create diverse pools.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Academy is a four-tier comprehensive program designed to offer academic, social and professional development services that assist program participants from their first year at Western Michigan University through graduation. Each tier is designed to address particular developmental milestones associated with that phase of a student's matriculation. https://wmich.edu/mlkacademy Western Michigan University's Steps Toward Exhibiting Mastery Program is designed to promote student success and to increase college graduation rates for academically and economically disadvantaged students. Eligible students are provided academic support through tutoring, mentoring, counseling, advising, multicultural activities, educational seminars, career and graduate school planning, and other resources designed to enhance their education and college experience, as well as to enable them to achieve a post-secondary degree. Funding for this program is provided by the State of Michigan King-Chávez-Parks Initiative. https://wmich.edu/peermentoring The purpose of the Western Michigan University College Assistance Migrant Program is to provide academic and financial support to assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers or their children in successfully completing their first undergraduate year at the University and continuing in their post-secondary education. The program provides students with academic assistance, tutoring, career counseling, financial assistance, leadership development, and personal and group counseling. Program participants also receive follow-up services after successful completion of their first year. The College Assistance Migrant Program at WMU is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Migrant Education. https://wmich.edu/camp Success at WMU is a peer mentoring program. Mentees are assigned to a success group with other new students and led by a peer mentor. Each group meets regularly to support the first-year transitions at WMU. This includes everything from academic support to social activities. The program guides exploration and engagement with campus life. Students with disabilities may choose to participate in this program or the one listed below. https://wmich.edu/success Disability Services for Students /Autism Services Center Mentor Program pairs students with junior, senior or graduate mentors who have disabilities and have been academically successful at WMU. Participants of this mentoring program will have access to weekly study tables and meet weekly with a peer mentor. https://wmich.edu/disabilityservices/student-support The Alpha Program is designed to guide first-year students in developing skills, behaviors and attitudes that lead to college success. The Office of Admissions admits students to the Alpha Program who are able to thrive with the opportunity and support that the program provides. Upon enrolling at Western, first-year Alpha students become part of a community of fellow Alpha students, upper-class Alpha student mentors and supportive faculty and staff. https://wmich.edu/alpha

The Graduate College has a 3:2 program with Dillard University where students attend Dillard for three years and WMU for two years in the program of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology. Dillard is a HBCU. Additionally, WMU offers fellowship opportunities for WMU faculty members as guest lecturers at Dillard. The Graduate College also has a King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellowship to support graduate students from underrepresented groups to complete their dissertation by providing financial support. Students who receive this assistance are required as a stipulation of the award to teach or serve in an administrative capacity in an institution of higher education in the State of Michigan for 4 years following completion of their graduate degree.

https://wmich.edu/lbgt/ https://wmich.edu/housing/spectrumhouse https://wmich.edu/disabilityservices/student-support https://wmich.edu/success https://wmich.edu/alpha https://wmich.edu/mlkacademy https://wmich.edu/diversity